Queer Sci Fi

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Discussion: Your Evil Red Eyes

August 17, 2015August 16, 2015 by scott

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Alicia Nordwell: The use of eye color being a distinctive element in paranormal fiction is really common. Do we naturally associate good/bad with different eye colors? Yellow glowing eyes peering out of the dark, or the use of amber to black eyes versus the red eyes of the vampires in the Twilight series, for example. It’s an interesting question. We’ve long used physical characteristics as shorthand for a character’s, well, character. Not so long ago, an off-handed comment that a character was gay or bi or trans denoted a villain. Blonde hair was good and … Read more

Reflections on The Great Mirror of Male Love

August 16, 2015August 15, 2015 by scott

Gomen nasai! I’m Jim Comer and I read, edit, and post on QueerSF. This is the third of an irregular series of dispatches from the front: I read very widely across the fields of history, science, language and religion, and want to make sure that the QUILTBAGs back home are suitably informed. For writers and readers, here is the third in a series of book reviews, on tales of same-sex love (“nanshoku”) in Japan. I hope that you enjoy it. Reflections on The Great Mirror of Male Love, by Ihara Saikaku J. Comer Reading a text from another place, and … Read more

Announcement: Witch, by Kethric Wilcox

August 15, 2015 by scott

QSFer Kethric Wilcox has a new Paranormal book out: Darkness, fear, and power stalk the wilds of coastal Maine. Kieran Belle has brought his boyfriend, Cory Cooper, home to meet his father’s side of the family, the secretive Oisín Clan. Descendants of the most powerful of the ancient Silver mages, the head of the Oisín is known as the Silver Witch. Plots are not reserved for the bad guys alone. Unknown to Kieran and Cory, Grandpa Oisín the current Silver Witch, and even Kieran’s own father are plotting to use them to fulfill an ancient prophecy, and bring forth the … Read more

Object-Driven Fiction

August 15, 2015 by scott

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Victroria Stagg Elliott: I will confess this question is derived from the essay I had to write for my AP English exam in high school. What about using objects to drive a queer science fiction/paranormal story? What objects are overused? What objects might be kind of fun? My AP English essay focused on how Desdemona’s hankerchief drove a lot of the story of Othello. We could come up with some interesting plot bunnies. Oooh, this one is near and dear to my little writer heart. I write a fair amount of magical realism stories, and … Read more

Announcement: Snowbound, by Jana Denardo

August 14, 2015 by scott

QSFer Jana Denardo has a new paranormal short story out: The 1930s have more to worry about than the Depression. Demons walk the earth, leaving the human race relying on those who can see the demons to fight them. As the Soldiers of the Sun make their way back to their base in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Caleb, Temple, and Agni find themselves snowbound in Mount Washington. With nothing to do but wait for a break in the weather or the next demon attack, whichever comes first, the three partners have the luxury of time to explore their mutual attraction and affection. … Read more

Help Us Come Up With Questions for Graphic Novel Week

August 14, 2015 by scott

Our First Annual Graphic Novel Week is coming up soon: 8/25: Yaoi 8/26: Superheroes 8/27: Yuri 8/28: Really Graphic Graphic Novels 8/29: Breaking Into Graphic Novels 8/30: Adapting My Story to Graphic Novel Format As part of the week, we have four special events planned, and some of these folks are also planning special offers on their works for QSF folks only – please RSVP if you plan to come: 8/25: 2-4 PM EDT/11 AM-1 PM PDT From Guilty Pleasure to Grand Ambition: Interview with Dani Hermitt & Nevi Star The creators of the Parliament of Twilight series will be … Read more

“Obsidian Sun” by Jon Keys

August 13, 2015 by Ben Brock

Genre: MM Romantic Fantasy Length: Novella WEAVERS AND spinners are two peoples of the Talac—phenotypically different, and the way they use the ancient magic of their peoples is different. Out of tradition they keep to their own social clusters, but Anan, a spellweaver, and Terja, a spellspinner, are about to discover through hardship that the two peoples are meant to be as one. When their village is attacked, Anan and Terja ban together in blood vengeance against the tribe that enslaved and killed their people. Their trust is fleeting, but as they fight and care for one another, it … Read more

Announcement: Cat’s Cradle, by A. Catherine Noon & Rachel Wilder

August 13, 2015 by scott

QSFers A. Catherine Noon and Rachel Wilder have a new paranormal book out: When you’re an ex-Marine tiger shifter, love comes with a high cost – is it too much to pay? Mitchell Brayden is an ex-Marine tiger shifter looking for love in all the wrong places. When he decides to rescue a young ocelot shifter from a rich, spoiled playboy, he embroils himself in a conflict that goes back generations. Guadalupe Salazar grew up as a pampered pet of a benevolent patron. After his patron’s untimely death, he stays on with the patron’s son – a self-centered, weak man … Read more

Discussion: Differently-Gendered Beings

August 13, 2015 by scott

Today’s topic comes from QSFer Brian Cherry: How about a discussion of different gendered beings, such as Storm Constantine’s Wraeththu? it’s a good question. We’re starting to move, as a society, beyond the idea that there are only two genders, male and female. This first hit me when I was watching Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and I realized that Terence Stamp’s character was really neither. In recent years, we’ve started to see “third gender” passports. More and more people are identifying publicly as gender queer, eschewing being strictly identified with either of the “traditional” genders. And even Facebook, flawed … Read more

Announcement: The Devil’s Science, by Jate Hemms

August 12, 2015 by scott

QSFer Jate Hemms has a new Sci Fi book out: Thomas was a middle aged man who lived a troubled life of sadness and grief. He tried to maintain his sanity through the worst events life has to offer. Little did he know that fate had something much more in store for him that would change his life. . . and the world forever. This story looks at the complexities of religion against the marvels of advanced technology and the many shades of grey in between. It will challenge the seemingly easy process of determining what is right and wrong … Read more